Hiilihappokäsittely

Hiilihappokäsittely refers to a process involving carbon dioxide, often in its supercritical state, for various applications. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is a phase of carbon dioxide where it exists as a fluid with properties of both a liquid and a gas, typically achieved at temperatures and pressures above its critical point (31.1 °C and 73.8 bar). This unique state makes scCO2 an effective solvent and processing medium due to its high diffusivity, low viscosity, and tunable solvating power.

One prominent application of hiilihappokäsittely is in extraction processes. Supercritical carbon dioxide can be used to extract compounds from natural products, such as decaffeinating coffee or extracting essential oils and flavors from plants. Its ability to selectively dissolve certain compounds by adjusting pressure and temperature makes it a "green" alternative to traditional organic solvents, as it leaves no toxic residue and is easily removed by depressurization.

Another area where hiilihappokäsittely is utilized is in materials science and engineering. It can be employed for cleaning, sterilization, and surface modification of various materials, including medical devices and textiles. In polymer processing, scCO2 can be used for foaming, impregnation, and creating porous structures. The process is also explored in food processing for pasteurization and modifying food textures. The environmental benefits, including reduced emissions and energy efficiency, contribute to the growing interest in hiilihappokäsittely.